The Rundown for Oct. 17, 2018

TURKEY CONNECT KHASHOGGI KILLING TO SAUDI PRINCE BIN SALMAN… The New York Times reported yesterday that Turkish officials have directly connected four suspects in the disappearance of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Officials say the discovery invalidates the claim by Saudi authorities that Khashoggi died in an interrogation gone wrong. Saudi authorities previously denied playing any role in Khashoggi’s disappearance.

STUDENT-LOAN PROTECTIONS IN EFFECT… Protections for students defrauded by colleges went into effect immediately yesterday despite legal challenges by the Trump administration and an association of for-profit colleges. Federal judge Randolph D. Moss denied a request by the California Association of Private Postsecondary Schools to delay the implementation of the Borrower Defense to Repayment rule. The Obama-era legislation establishes a process for students who have been defrauded by for-profit schools and other entities to have their federal student loans canceled.

ALASKA LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR RESIGNS… Alaska Lieutenant Governor Byron Mallott resigned yesterday after admitting to the Anchorage Daily News that he had made recent “inappropriate comments.” Mallott said nothing else about the comments and Governor Bill Walker’s office did not elaborate on Mallott’s resignation, other than noting that it also applies to Mallott’s re-election bid.

TEXAS FLOODING… Heavy rains caused severe flooding throughout central and south Texas yesterday. Authorities in Burnet County recovered a body from Lake Lyndon B. Johnson. In Kingsland, dramatic video captured floodwaters washing away portions of a bridge. Governor Greg Abbott has declared a state of disaster in 18 counties.

MORE THAN 1,300 MISSING AFTER MICHAEL… Rescuers reported yesterday that more than 1,300 people in the Florida Panhandle remain missing from Hurricane Michael. 800 of the missing are adults, while 141 are children and 396 are elderly. The storm is blamed for the deaths of at least 19 people.

ENTERTAINMENTIDRIS ELBA COULD JOIN ‘CATS’… Idris Elba is reportedly close to joining the cast of the movie adaptation of “Cats.” Taylor Swift, Jennifer Hudson, James Corden and Ian McKellen have already signed on to the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical. Production will launch later this year in the U.K. and the film is scheduled for a December 20, 2019, release.

DENNIS HOF DIES… Dennis Hof, whose Nevada brothel business was featured in an HBO series, was found dead yesterday. Authorities say the 72-year-old Hof died at his home in Nye County following an extended-weekend 72nd birthday bash. Porn legend Ron Jeremy, who attended the party, says he and a woman found Hof’s body after Hof failed to meet them.

SPORTSMLB ALCS…Boston 8 – HOUSTON 2… Jackie Bradley Jr. unloaded a grand slam to cap a five-run top of the eighth inning and the Red Sox put away the Astros to take a 2-1 lead in the series. Steve Pearce also went deep for Boston. Starter Nathan Eovaldi allowed two runs on six hits over six innings. The series remains at Fenway for tonight’s Game 4. The Red Sox send Rick Porcello to the mound, where he’ll be opposed by the Astros’ Charlie Morton in a matchup of righthanders. First pitch is scheduled for 8:39 p.m. and the game airs on TBS.

NLCS…L.A. DODGERS 2 – Milwaukee 1 (13 innings)… Cody Bellinger’s two-out single in the bottom of the 13th inning scored Manny Machado with the winning run as the Dodgers outlasted the Brewers and tied the NL Championship series at two games apiece. Playing rightfield, Bellinger also made the defensive play of the night with a diving catch in the top of the 10th inning to rob Lorenzo Cain of extra bases. Brian Dozier’s RBI single in the first staked L.A. to an early lead, but pinch-hitter Domingo Santana doubled home a game-tying run in the fifth. The series remains at Dodger Stadium for tonight’s Game 5. Wade Miley gets the start for the Brewers, while the Dodgers counter with Clayton Kershaw in a matchup of lefthanders. First pitch is scheduled for 5:05 p.m. Eastern and the game airs on FS1.

NBA REGULAR-SEASON OPENERS…BOSTON 105 – Philadelphia 87… The Celtics cruised past the 76ers to open the NBA’s regular season. Jayson Tatum led the way with 23 points.

GOLDEN STATE 108 – Oklahoma City 100… The defending NBA-champion Warriors held off a Thunder team that was playing without Russell Westbrook. Stephen Curry scored a game-high 32 points. Kevin Durant added 27 points.

TONIGHT’S NBA SCHEDULE…
Brooklyn is at Detroit…
Orlando hosts Miami…
Memphis is at Indiana…
Charlotte hosts Milwaukee…
New York hosts Atlanta…
Cleveland is at Toronto…
Houston hosts New Orleans…
Minnesota is at San Antonio…
Sacramento hosts Utah…
Denver is at the L.A. Clippers…
Phoenix hosts Dallas

Vancouver 3 – PITTSBURGH 2 (OT)… Brock Boser scored 34 seconds into overtime to lift the Canucks over the Penguins. Vancouver has won three straight.

N.Y. RANGERS 3 – Colorado 2 (SO)… Kevin Shattenkirk’s goal in the third round of the shootout sent the Rangers past the Avalanche. Shattenkirk had two assists in regulation.

TAMPA BAY 4 – Carolina 2… Tyler Johnson recorded his fourth career hat trick in leading the Lightning past the Hurricanes. Louis Domingue made 38 saves at goal.

Edmonton 5 – WINNIPEG 4 (OT)… The Oilers came from three goals down to outlast the Jets. Darnell Nurse netted the winning goal 1:25 into overtime. Connor McDavid scored two goals and assisted on two others.

VEGAS 4 – Buffalo 1… Jonathan Marchessault found the net twice as the Golden Knights skated past the Sabres. William Karlsson had a goal and two assists. Marc-Andre Fleury made 26 saves on his way to his 407th career victory. He is now tied with Glenn Hall for 10th place on the all-time list.